Looking to take my first step into Flash

Hello all!
Currently I own a D7100 that I bought from a fellow forumer and real life friend :P
I have a lot to learn from him still and he just recently started getting into flash, so I figured I would maybe join and learn together!

I have been looking at the yonguon or whatever brand as I dont exactly want to go drop 300 dollars on a flash I have no idea what I am doing with.

Now the real question is, do I got with one that is TTL and adjusts itself to help me, or would I go with one thats full manual?
Currently I shoot in Aperture mode, and I am still learning...

I would typically be using the flash for indoor photos and maybe some messing around with some car shoots.

Looking for helpful tips and tricks, and some good information as to why I should go with a TTL or a full manual.
My only worry is, shooting full manual I would have to constantly be worrying about what my camera settings are AND what my flash needs to be where as my TTL will kind of help me out and worry about it, itself... Is that the way I am reading??
Thanks!

No TTL Jack, go full manual, and buy a pixelstick.

But seriously, I think you'd be best off picking up a YN560IV and just playing with it before spending the money on a bigger flash. I still think you'd enjoy the pixelstick the most based on your skillset and hobby.

Heya,

If you're still learning exposure in general with your camera, I would get a manual flash, but it doesn't hurt to get a flash that has TTL capability for the future.

I would put you on a Yongnuo 568EX II for Nikon. Inexpensive. Use it manually at first. Later, when you have a good feel for using flash and exposure in general, you will not have to wonder what it's like to have/use TTL and HSS as it will have those. $100 does it.

TTL is super useful for indoor shooting of candid/spontaneous stuff where you don't have the opportunity for a 2nd shot or adjustment of exposure, etc. TTL bounce is one of my favorite uses of a speedlite to "get the shot" for spontaneous stuff.

Very best,

everyone needs a TTL speedlight.

it may be your least used flash once you get going, but you will end up wanting it in your bag.

and if you never get going, you'll want it even more.

i posted in the market place forum that BorrowLenses/com was having a 20 percent off sale on their used gear. There was a 430EXII over there for about 160 bucks. Hell of a deal.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17601149
everyone needs a TTL speedlight.

it may be your least used flash once you get going, but you will end up wanting it in your bag.

and if you never get going, you'll want it even more.

i posted in the market place forum that BorrowLenses/com was having a 20 percent off sale on their used gear. There was a 430EXII over there for about 160 bucks. Hell of a deal.

I disagree that everyone needs a TTL flash. TTL is for film, not digital. If you are not shooting film, you have little use for a TTL flash unit. ETTL and ETTL-II are for digital. If you are using TTL on a digital camera, it is in full-manual mode - ONLY. All of Canon's flash units are capable of full-manual. I don't see the need for TTL, at all.

If I am completely missing the boat here, please enlighten me. There are some good deals on 430EX II units on the POTN sale page.

I'd for sure get an ETTL capable flash.

OP used the term TTL so I did the same. Since the "end" of film, i feel that everyone has begun to use them interchangeably.

terminology evolves. originally TTL had nothing to do with flash exposure metering.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17601209
OP used the term TTL so I did the same. Since the "end" of film, i feel that everyone has begun to use them interchangeably.

terminology evolves. originally TTL had nothing to do with flash exposure metering.

Completely agree. But the OP is new to flash and my not make the distinction in his search for knowledge. Just trying to provide sufficient information.

I may be artificially inflating the importance of this distinction. I've been around since manual-only flash. TTL, ETTL and ETTL-II are all separate animals, to me.

you're right, and i usually try to be specific too. Thanks for making the distinction.

I am new to flash and have no idea what I am talking about haha.

I am really split on what to buy... I kind of want a TTL just so I can learn how flash works and play with it and have it for those "cant be planned shots"
But everyone says manual, Like I have told Taylor (first poster) 100x I am not comfortable shooting full manual yet, and do not want to screw up someones photo session because I had the wrong exposure/shutter speed/aperture going. Like I said I typically shoot in Aperture mode.
And now after reading this, I am unsure of what to go with! Some say ETTL and others say full manual.

I guess the times I can think of right now where I would want flash, is if I get asked to take some shots at a wedding reception (nothing serious), maybe some shots durning a wedding? (Should have plenty of natural light with my primes though) and then maybe some night shooting. (possibly trying out a pixel stick further purchase but am not sure quite yet!)

I just have an urge to get into flash because I think it will better myself at photography, I just dont know if I am ready to take that step and jump into full manual camera controls AND flash!

you can use manual flash settings with a ETTL flash,
you can not use ETTL with a manual only flash.

buy ETTL then use whatever you are comfortable with, or more importantly whatever the situation calls for.

I think that some folks (not directed at anyone in particular ) think that ETTL is a crutch and is to be avoided by "real" photographers. The reality is that it is an extremely valuable tool and can be used effectively by beginners and seasoned pros alike.

btw, TTL began as a way to take a meter reading Through The Lens. It evolved into a way to not only meter the scene, but to meter the flash output. It is now called Electronic TTL, E-TTL.

LHB is right. ETTL-II is NOT a crutch. It is, seriously, one of the world's most perfect inventions. Much like the automatic transmission, it just keeps on doing exactly what you expect it to do. Most of the time. When it does fail, it can be frustrating for the flash-newbie. When it does fail, post the shot and ask for help. It will do what you want 98.371% of the time. Buy a used 430EX II. The "EX" series are all ETTL-II, designed to work with Canon digital cameras. The "II" (in 430EX II) means you can use on-camera menus to manage your flash. That feature requires a 500D (T1i) or newer, I think.

You can go down the MANUAL flash road if you want. Be prepared for this:

I want to take a flash picture.
What is the guide number (GN) of my flash? (That is more complicated than it sounds. Distance and coverage angle matter.)
What is my ISO?
Multiply GN by 1.4 for every stop you have elevated ISO above 100. This gives you 'effective' GN.
How away far is the subject?
Apply the formula: Aperture (that you have to set) = 'effective' GN / Distance (to subject).
Are you going to bounce off a low, white ceiling? Open up 1 stop. Higher ceiling, or more distant wall, open up more. Just guess how much.
Dial in that aperture and... Forget it, your subject left 5 minutes ago.

This used to be the only way to do flash photography. Most of us geezers could do that calculation, in our heads, in less time than it took to get the camera to your eye and your left hand on the aperture ring. Ah, aperture rings! Remember those. They are as prevalent today as people who even know what a Guide Number is.

Moral of the story. Buy an ETTL-II flash. EDIT: Removed ignorant, irrelevant suggestion. You can use it in Manual mode (flash, not camera) after you master the vagaries of direct & bounced flash.

He has a Nikon D7100 though...haha

Taylor02GT wrote in post #17602101
He has a Nikon D7100 though...haha

Thanks. I missed that, somehow.

Yeah, OP, you'll probably want to stick to a flash that actually works with your camera.

Jack - Like I told you the other night when we were shooting. It's not that you shouldn't have E-TTL or shouldn't use it. You were concerned about a) cost and b) understanding how to use the flash. From someone who's on the middle of learning flash, from input from the very guys replying in this thread, learning to use Manual first is the most important step. Now that I am starting to understand how to manually set my flash up and configure my camera settings, the less and less I feel like i NEED E-TTL for the kind of photos I'm shooting right now. Manual flashes (The YN560s) are cheap and will help you fully understand flash photography. Which is why I suggested them to you. If you are less concerned about cost, then yes by all means buy an E-TTL capable lens, but do not start using it in E-TTL right away.

Of course when I feel more comfortable to take this flash work into some of my portrait stuff, especially for weddings or other candid type sessions, then I'll probably add an E-TTL capable flash as my third flash to have in my bag. Do I need 3 E-TTL flashes for strobe work of my cars? No. Manual is doing just fine for all the work I'm doing right now to learn. I would NOT ever think about doing a wedding and "rely" on E-TTL as a crutch to create magic images, which to me I feel like that's what you're trying to do and avoid manual shooting. You need to understand the flash first before even doing that.

EDIT: I use "E-TTL" way too much in that post, it got annoying.